A Swindon policeman's notebook from 1892 to 1913 listing nearly 350 crimes committed in Old Town is being auctioned next Wednesday.

The notebook lists various arrests and details the names, ages, addresses, places, dates, charges and sentences of all the arrests made by PC William J Perry.

The book was passed to Dominic Winter Book Auctions by a Wiltshire couple who found it in a pair of policeman's trousers they had bought several years ago at an auction in Chippenham. The notebook just happened to be in the pocket.

Chris Albury, historical document specialist at Dominic Winter said: "This would be of interest to local historians, family history researchers or anyone with a general interest in crime."

The book is thought to have been a catalogue of PC Perry's most interesting or favourite cases, as there are large time gaps between some entries.

The most common offences are petty theft, obscene language and drunk and disorderly behaviour.

The majority of arrests made for drunk and disorderly (or even drunk and incapable) behaviour were on women. Punishments included several days' hard labour and various fines.

Colin Meays, cataloguer and valuer at Dominic Winter, said: "This notebook is a hugely important part of local history. It's difficult to find historical things that relate to Swindon as we were just a small working class pig village until the Great Western Railway came along. So much of our heritage has gone."

PC Perry went into meticulous detail when recording the information. Mr Albury said it was rare for similar artefacts to be in such good condition with legible handwriting and thorough detail.

The item is expected to fetch somewhere in the region of £70 to £150.

Various Swindon landmarks are referred to. Old Town was then known as New Town. The old Fountain public house, now known as the Piper's Arms, is mentioned, as is the asylum in Devizes.

The notebook will be auctioned at Dominic Winter next Wednesday afternoon. For more information call 01793 611340 or visit www.dominicwinter.co.uk